Dolly Parton lawsuits span more than four decades and cover contract, copyright, trademark, and personal injury claims. The most consequential include Porter Wagoner’s $3 million breach-of-contract suit in 1979, two separate copyright infringement fights over “9 to 5,” a trademark opposition from the Dolly Madison bakery brand, and a series of cases tied to her Dollywood theme park.
Porter Wagoner’s $3 Million Contract Suit
Parton’s split from Porter Wagoner, the country star who brought her onto his syndicated television show in 1967, produced the most personally charged legal fight of her career. By March 1979, the two had not spoken for three years when Wagoner sued for $3 million, arguing he had made Parton a star and was owed a share of her earnings for life.1Rolling Stone. Flashback: Dolly Parton Writes ‘I Will Always Love You’ for Former Boss2American Songwriter. A Lawsuit, Personal Quarrels Behind Dolly Parton’s Complex Relationship With Porter Wagoner
Parton settled out of court for roughly $1 million.2American Songwriter. A Lawsuit, Personal Quarrels Behind Dolly Parton’s Complex Relationship With Porter Wagoner
Copyright Fights Over “9 to 5”
Parton’s 1980 hit drew two separate copyright infringement claims from songwriters who said she had copied their work.
Benny Martin and “Me and My Fiddle”
Nashville bluegrass artist Benny Martin, through his publisher Veda Wild Publishing Company of Tennessee, publicly claimed “9 to 5” infringed on his 1954 song “Me and My Fiddle.” Rather than wait to be sued, Parton went to federal court in May 1982 seeking a declaratory judgment that her song did not infringe.3Newspaper Archive. Hutchinson News, May 7, 1982 The parties settled for what Parton later called a “small amount of money,” with Martin signing a statement that the songs were “similar, but not similar enough for a lawsuit.”4Los Angeles Times. Dolly Parton ‘9 to 5’ Copyright Trial
Neil and Jan Goldberg’s Trial
Los Angeles songwriters Neil and Jan Goldberg, who performed as Gandharva and Eternity, sued Parton alleging “9 to 5” was lifted from their 1976 song “Money World.” They said they had mailed two albums containing the song to Jane Fonda in 1978, whose production company later produced the film, giving Parton potential access to the music.4Los Angeles Times. Dolly Parton ‘9 to 5’ Copyright Trial5UPI. Songwriting Couple Claims Dolly Parton Copied Song
The trial ran in December 1985 in Los Angeles federal court before U.S. District Judge Terry J. Hatter Jr. The Goldbergs sought $1 million plus additional damages, and their attorney told jurors the songs were “strikingly similar.”5UPI. Songwriting Couple Claims Dolly Parton Copied Song Parton testified she had offered a pretrial cash settlement to avoid “public embarrassment,” which Jan Goldberg rejected as “very, very small.”4Los Angeles Times. Dolly Parton ‘9 to 5’ Copyright Trial On December 18, 1985, the six-member jury deliberated 35 minutes and found for Parton. Her opponents said they would not appeal.6Los Angeles Times. Jury Rules Dolly Parton Did Not Copy Song
Dollywood Lawsuits
Dollywood, the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, park operated jointly by Dolly Parton Productions and Herschend Family Entertainment, has drawn several suits, most involving injuries on rides.
Teresa Holt sued The Dollywood Company after falling from a park tram. The trial court gave Dollywood summary judgment, finding Holt at least 50% at fault, but in August 2012 the Tennessee Court of Appeals reversed, holding a reasonable jury could find her less than half at fault, and remanded the case.7Tennessee Courts. Teresa Holt, et al. v. The Dollywood Company
In December 2013, Florida resident Tedi A. Brown fell headfirst from the “Waltzing Swinger” during sleet and snow. She alleged the park lacked adequate “locking restraint mechanisms” and sought $475,000 for injuries including permanent brain impairment, spinal and neck damage, torn ligaments, and a broken jaw.8The Guardian. Woman Sues Dollywood Theme Park After Falling From a Ride
A July 2022 suit by Monica Jemison and her partner alleged she fractured her leg and pelvis on the “Mountain Scream” slide at Dollywood’s Splash Country, claiming the ride was not properly tested and employees failed to instruct riders on positioning. They sought $875,000 for medical costs and lost wages.9WAFB. Couple Sues Dollywood’s Splash Country After Injury, Documents Say
On the copyright side, Lee Mendelson Film Productions sued Dollywood in federal court in October 2019, alleging the park used “Christmas Time Is Here” from the 1965 special A Charlie Brown Christmas without permission in its “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” show going back to at least 2007. The company sought $150,000 per willful infringement.10WHSV. Good Grief! Owners of Charlie Brown Song Sue Dollywood The case was dismissed with prejudice in June 2021, barring it from being refiled.11WATE. Lawsuit Against Dollywood for Using ‘Christmas Time Is Here’ Dismissed
Dolly Madison Trademark Opposition
In March 2020, Parton filed trademark applications for the mark “DOLLY,” styled as her signature with a butterfly. Hostess Brands, owner of the Dolly Madison bakery line, filed a formal opposition before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board in September 2021. The opposition targeted Parton’s Class 39 application, which covers food items including baked goods and cake mixes, arguing consumers were likely to be confused because both marks feature the word “Dolly.”12Intellectual Property News. Dolly Parton Faces Trademark Dispute Over Using Her Own Name
Threatened Suits That Didn’t Materialize
Not every dispute became a filed case. In May 2008, The Howard Stern Show aired a segment that spliced audio from Parton’s 1995 audiobook My Life and Other Unfinished Business into fabricated sexually explicit and racist commentary, including invented remarks about Kenny Rogers, Linda Ronstadt, Burt Reynolds, and Johnny Carson.13CBC. Parton Shocked, Humiliated by Shock Jock Stern’s Audiobook Parody14Fox News. Dolly Parton Threatens to Sue Howard Stern Over Fake Sound Bites Parton said she was “shocked, hurt and humiliated” and warned, “If there was ever going to be a lawsuit, it’s going to be over this.”15Boston Herald. How Much Is That Dolly Gonna Sue For No reporting has confirmed an actual suit was filed.
Similarly, when Senator Elizabeth Warren’s 2020 presidential campaign used “9 to 5” at events, Parton’s manager Danny Nozell told the Associated Press the team “did not approve the request” and that “we do not approve requests like this of a political nature.” Nozell did not say whether a formal complaint would follow, and no legal action was publicly reported.16People. Presidential Candidates Using Dolly Parton Songs